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I have a Hardkernel ODROID-C0 development board. At the ODROID-C0 website it says that some of the operating systems that run on the ODROID-C0 are Ubuntu, Android, Arch Linux, Debian, and OpenELEC. I am starting a new embedded system project, and was trying to find an answer to my question:

What is the most lightweight Linux system that is tailored for embedded devices? I stumbled upon Arch Linux and Ubuntu Core (Snappy), but did not manage to find a clear answer to the difference between the two. Can anyone help with this?

karel
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ProllyGeek
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1 Answers1

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Ubuntu Core is a minimalistic version of Ubuntu designed to run on embedded devices, and it is the more lightweight OS. The minimum hardware systems requirements for Ubuntu Core are:

  • Processor – 600MHz processor (ARMv7 or greater, or x86)
  • System Memory – 128MB RAM
  • Storage – 4GB flash/storage for factory reset and system rollback

A new release of Ubuntu Core is released every 2 years on even numbered years (2016, 2018, etc.). Ubuntu Core 18 is based on Ubuntu 18.04, and is supported by security and maintenance updates for 10 years until April, 2028. 

               Processor              Memory    Disk space    Download webpage
Ubuntu Core    600MHz ARMv7 or x86    128MB       4GB         http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-core/vivid/daily-preinstalled/current/   
Arch Linux     i686, x86_64 or ARM    256MB     800MB         https://archlinuxarm.org/about/downloads

If you have an application that doesn't need more than a minimal operating system and power saving is very important, I recommend Ubuntu Core.

karel
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